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Housing and education supports for young people leaving care ‘must be a priority’ – Mitchell

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Children and Youth Affairs Denise
Mitchell TD described as “worrying and unacceptable” the fact that 12% of those
leaving state care are homeless and called for their prioritisation when it
came to housing and education services.

The statistics were outlined in EPIC’s (Empowering People in
Care) annual advocacy report.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Mitchell said:

“Young people leaving care face unique challenges in housing
and education. I found it particularly worrying that the EPIC’s annual advocacy
report outlined that 12% of those leaving the care system face homelessness.

“I hope Minister Zappone will work with the Minister for
Housing, Planning and Local Government on this, because I find it unacceptable.
These young people are some of the most inspirational young people any of us
could meet and they should be prioritised when it comes to housing and
education.”

Deputy Mitchell also called for more resources to ensure
care leavers have access to services in a timely manner:

“We have a very serious shortage of aftercare workers. In my
area of north Dublin, 35 young people are waiting for an appointment with an
aftercare worker while 14 are waiting on residential services. So we need to
ensure that Tusla has the resources and staff to work with them in a timely
manner.”

In her response, Minister Zappone stated that 40 units
for use by those leaving state care have come on stream and will be available
soon:

“We got access to funding through CAS to set up suitable accommodation
and that it has taken time to establish that. However, I have a list of 40
units that have been identified and are sale agreed, and I am happy to share
that list with Deputy Mitchell and other Deputies. Focus Housing Association is
in the process of taking over a number of them in places like Dublin, Sligo,
the mid-west and Limerick. The Peter McVerry Trust is also involved in other
settings throughout the country where it will renovate, adjust and accommodate
young people leaving care. Those are the additional supports that are coming on
stream.”